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Dissection

Dissection

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Every year, millions of animals—including cats, pigs, turtles, and frogs—are dissected in primary schools, middle schools, and high schools and then discarded, many after suffering and dying for nothing more than to satisfy the demand for biological “specimens.”

As the "study of life," biology should foster respect and compassion for animals. Yet dissection encourages neither; animal life is devalued and treated as expendable.

However, more and more students prefer to learn anatomy and physiology using humane alternatives such as computer-based programs, 3-D models, and videos, which are also less expensive to use. Educational research shows that students using humane alternatives learn as well or better than students using animals.

News & Events

You can help pass laws that protect animals in your state. Humane Lobby Day is easy, fun and guaranteed to make you feel like a powerful animal activist. We'll help you find the Humane Lobby Day in your state.

Connecticut fifth-grader Jack Kealey knew he didn't want to experiment on animals in science class. So he lobbied his state lawmakers to pass a law giving students the right to choose whether or not to dissect animals.

Millions of frogs, turtles, cats, mice, rats, fish, and other animals are used in school dissection exercises every year. Yet a majority of students feel they should be given a choice or alternative when it comes to dissection. If you object to dissection, here's what you can do.

Our Victories

This evening the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote passed a bipartisan amendment to the defense appropriations bill that will end taxpayer funding for painful experiments on dogs at Veterans Affairs hospitals for fiscal year 2018.